Apparatus and method for extracting an infusion

Abstract

An infusion extractor is provided including a plunger to be inserted into an infusing container containing the infusion mixture that has vertical inner walls oriented parallel to a vertical axis of the container. The plunger includes a first surface with a seal situated at an edge of the surface. The seal is adapted for sealing against the inner walls of the infusing container as the plunger moves within the container, to define a first chamber containing the mixture of infusible material and extract. The plunger also includes a second surface extending from the first surface and defining a second chamber; the second surface includes extract flow openings which permit flow of extract from the first chamber into the second chamber. At least a portion of the extract flow openings are situated at a depth either above or below the first surface along the vertical axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for separating an infused extract from a mixture of an infusible material and the extract, comprising:
 a) an infusing container having a peripheral wall defining a volume therein, the peripheral wall defining an open top of the infusing container; and 
 b) a plunger configured to be received through the open top of the infusing container, the plunger and infusing container cooperating to define a lower chamber for containing a mixture of an infusible material and extract and an upper chamber including infused extract, the plunger including:
 i) a fluid chamber having a top end and a bottom end, the fluid chamber including a peripheral wall that defines a volume therein for collecting extract from an infusible material, the fluid chamber being open at the top end in direct fluid communication with the upper chamber to permit extract to pour out of the fluid chamber when the fluid chamber is inverted, the peripheral wall of the fluid chamber defining an uppermost extract flow opening therethrough, the uppermost extract flow opening including at least one filter element disposed therein; 
 ii) a peripheral seal disposed about an outer periphery of the plunger, the peripheral seal being configured to provide a seal between the plunger and the peripheral wall of the infusing container to separate the lower chamber from the upper chamber, wherein an uppermost extract flow opening is formed in the peripheral wall of the fluid chamber and is situated below the seal to define an annular section of peripheral wall of the fluid chamber above the uppermost extract flow opening that is free of extract flow openings to permit infusible material to collect in an annular gap defined above the uppermost extract flow opening and between the annular section of peripheral wall of the fluid chamber that is free of extract flow openings and the peripheral wall of the infusing container to upwardly displace floating infusible material from the uppermost extract flow opening; and 
 iii) a handle attached to the fluid chamber for moving the plunger along the peripheral wall of the infusing container. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plunger is attached to the bottom of the fluid chamber. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one filter element includes a plurality of individual filter elements such that the infused extract flows through the plurality of individual filter elements along a flow path as the fluid chamber is advanced downwardly into the infusing container through the mixture of infusible material and extract. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral seal and fluid chamber are discrete components. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus for separating an infused extract from a mixture of an infusible material and the extract comprising:
 a) an infusing container having a peripheral wall defining a volume therein, the peripheral wall defining an open top of the infusing container; and 
 b) a plunger configured to be received through the open top of the infusing container, the plunger and infusing container cooperating to define a lower chamber for containing a mixture of an infusible material and extract and an upper chamber including infused extract, the plunger including:
 i) a fluid chamber having a top end and a bottom end, the fluid chamber including a peripheral wall that defines a volume therein for collecting extract from an infusible material, the peripheral wall of the fluid chamber defining an uppermost extract flow opening therethrough, the uppermost extract flow opening including at least one filter element disposed therein; 
 ii) a peripheral seal disposed proximate an outer periphery of the plunger, the peripheral seal being configured to provide a seal between the plunger and the peripheral wall of the infusing container, the uppermost extract flow opening being situated below the seal to permit infusible material to collect in an annular gap disposed above the uppermost extract flow opening and defined between the peripheral wall of the fluid chamber and the peripheral wall of the infusing container to upwardly displace floating infusible material; 
 iii) a handle attached to the fluid chamber for moving the plunger along the peripheral wall of the infusing container; and 
 iv) a second extract flow opening in direct fluid communication with the upper chamber disposed radially inwardly from the peripheral seal, the second extract flow opening having a second filter element disposed therein, the second filter element being disposed in a plane that is perpendicular to the handle. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the peripheral seal and fluid chamber are discrete components. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one filter element includes a plurality of individual filter elements such that the infused extract flows through the plurality of individual filter elements along a flow path as the fluid chamber is advanced downwardly into the infusing container through the mixture of infusible material and extract. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom of the fluid chamber is closed. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the bottom of the fluid chamber is closed.